Easy Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole is a budget-friendly recipe inspired by the classic, savory, vegetarian dish that's traditionally served at Thanksgiving and holiday meals.
Green bean casserole is a classic, savory side dish that is typically vegetarian, and this recipe is also dairy-free.
It's a cost-effective side that's traditionally served at Thanksgiving and other holiday meals, but it's perfect served with any main, whether dairy or meat.
It's simple to prepare, so you can enjoy it at family dinners or potlucks with friends.
And green beans have nutritional value!
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what is needed to make dairy-free green bean casserole?
Even if you don't want to keep a pantry full of just-in-case ingredients, these are all you need to have on hand to make this recipe!
canned (or frozen) green beans, French-style
crispy fried onions
unsweetened dairy-free milk substitute (with a neutral flavor)
vegetarian chicken soup (made with vegetarian chicken soup powder)
mushrooms (fresh or canned)
onion
cloves of garlic or granulated garlic
all-purpose flour
salt
oil for frying
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best dairy-free milk to use for the casserole sauce?
This recipe calls for oat milk. However, unsweetened plain almond milk or canned full-fat coconut milk are good substitutes.
While oat milk provides a great, rich texture, canned coconut milk yields an extra creamy consistency similar to heavy cream.
If you do use coconut milk or cream, you might detect a mild taste of coconut flavor, though it could be masked by the savory flavor of the dish.
Can you make dairy-free green bean casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance up to the baking point, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator. Wait to add the crispy fried onion topping until just before baking so they stay crunchy.
Can you freeze green bean casserole?
You can freeze the unbaked casserole (without the crispy onion topping) wrapped tightly for up to 1 month. Thaw it before baking, then top with fresh fried onions and bake.
Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh green beans, but you will need to blanch or steam them until tender-crisp before adding them to the casserole, as they won't cook all the way through in the oven alone.
How do I thicken a dairy-free green bean casserole sauce if it's too thin?
If your homemade mushroom sauce is too thin, you can simmer it on the stovetop for a few extra minutes to reduce it, or whisk a small amount of cornstarch mixed with cold water into the sauce and heat until it bubbles and thickens.
Sides to pair with green bean casserole
Easy Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Easy, savory green bean casserole made without dairy.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces canned (or frozen) green beans, French-style *
- 1 ½ cups crispy fried onions
- 1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk substitute (with a neutral flavor)
- ¾ cup vegetarian chicken soup**
- 1 cup mushrooms (fresh or canned), finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped or ½ teaspoon of granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- oil for frying
- Salt
Instructions
- Place the green beans in a suitable-size casserole dish or baking pan, and mix in half of the fried onions. Set aside.***
- Pour a little oil into the bottom of a skillet.
- Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms, and lightly fry on a medium-low heat (until the onions have become transparent).
- Sprinkle flour into the skillet and mix to coat the onions, garlic, and mushrooms.
- Slowly add the vegetarian chicken soup while mixing, and then do the same with the dairy-free milk substitute.
- Lower the heat and continue mixing for a few minutes until you have a thickened sauce.
- Mix in salt to taste.
- Remove from heat and pour over the green beans.
- Top with the remaining fried onions.
- Place the casserole dish/baking pan in an oven that has been preheated to 400°F and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the casserole is slightly brown on top.
- Serve hot.
Notes
* Or just pre-cooked, French-style green beans.
** You can make this with vegetarian chicken soup powder, according to the instructions.
*** The onions that are mixed in with the green beans may get soft, so skip this step if you don't want that, and you can use only half of the onions on top or all of them if you wish.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 575Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 1027mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 10gSugar: 11gProtein: 23g
